Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, has announced that the company will add 10 LNG dual-fuel vessels to its fleet and register them under the French International Register (RIF).
CMA CGM says each vessel, with a capacity of 24,212 TEUs, ranks among the world’s largest and most energy-efficient containerships and will reinforce France’s maritime presence and logistical autonomy.
Saadé stated: “From next year, CMA CGM will register ten new 24,000 TEU vessels under the French flag. Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), they will operate on the Asia–Northern Europe route, calling at Le Havre and Dunkirk, and will be crewed by 135 French seafarers, trained in collaboration with the French Maritime Academy (ENSM).”
The decision underlines CMA CGM’s commitment to France’s maritime competitiveness and the role of the national flag in supporting investment, innovation, and standards in safety and working conditions.
The vessels are also equipped for biomethane and e-methane fuels, reducing CO2 emissions by 67–85 per cent and cutting sulphur oxides, fine particles, and nitrogen oxides, contributing to more sustainable shipping.
Each ship is named after a notable French or European landmark — CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, CMA CGM PANTHÉON, CMA CGM ORSAY, CMA CGM LUXEMBOURG, CMA CGM PONT NEUF, CMA CGM VERSAILLES, CMA CGM AUSTERLITZ, CMA CGM NATION, CMA CGM CLUNY, and CMA CGM LONGCHAMP— reflecting French heritage and maritime identity.
Construction has involved a network of French and European suppliers, including GTT for LNG tanks and Bureau Veritas for certification.
Beyond operational capacity, the vessels will reportedly create 135 French maritime jobs and support the attractiveness of the national maritime sector.
Scheduled for delivery from 2026 onwards, the vessels will be deployed on the French Asia Line (FAL 1) connecting Northern Europe and Asia.
Sailing under the French flag ensures compliance with national and European laws, social and environmental standards, and regular maritime administration oversight.
Recently, CMA CGM confirmed an upsize of its Atlantic Feeder service, effective from week 45.
